Well sure has been quite a while since I wrote and I would like to extend my apology for not keeping my readers busy with Phillies recaps. Unfortunately, it is tough to write with a job that demands so many hours on a weekly basis. Now that I am past the sappy part, there is a lot to catch up on in the world of Philly sports.
Before I get into the Philly sports, I just want to say that phenom Stephen Strasburg looked great last night against the Pirates. I saw the clip of all 14 of his strikeouts and he was throwing 101mph heat in the sixth and seventh. He also displays a great change in speeds and a spectacular breaking ball. The NL East should watch out these next few years because the Nationals finally seem like they may be headed in the right direction.
Anyways, since only two of the Philly teams are still playing...I think they deserve more attention. Let's get rid of the other stuff first. The Sixers hired Doug Collins as their coach and he seems to be a stride in the right direction for the team. He focuses the team on defense while Eddie Jordan concentrated too much on the Princeton offense which well...failed miserably, leading to his removal. Oh and did I mention they get the second pick in the NBA draft? Things may be looking up after all....but let's not get our hopes up.
The Eagles had some voluntary camps and DeSean Jackson and Asante Samuel have been absent. Samuel is said to have some personal reasons while Jackson remains missing for a reason unknown. He is probably waiting for a nice hefty contract from the Birds if you ask me. Does he deserve it?...I think so. The guy has been one of the most explosive wide-outs in the NFL and at his speed, how could you not want to sign him long term? Is his attitude a little shaky?...Sure, but Kevin Kolb is going to need some major weapons for his first season as the man under center for the Eagles.
Phillies-- Well the Phillies have fallen out of first place as I am sure you guys already know and have gone through one of the most horrific stretches that I can remember. Now, in between those games where the Phils were shutout and held scoreless and the games where they only managed three runs or less, Roy Halladay sparkled the Phillies faithful with the second perfect game this season, the 20th in MLB history. Dallas Braden of the Oakland A's threw the other perfect one this year. It seemed to me that even though he had that game, the Phillies mustered only one run on an error. Seems kind of pathetic that you need a perfect game to get a win. None the less, what a great thing to see and it is a shame that a lot of fans probably did not even recognize it until late in the game because that same night, the Flyers and Blackhawks began their Stanley Cup FInals series.
The offense has shown life as of late but the slumps of Chase Utley and Jayson Werth have me worried the most. Werth struck out twice to end the game against the Padres to continue his hitting slump and Chase Utley's average has dropped below .270 on the year. Is Werth's contract year getting to him? You have to think that it may play a factor in the pressure of the team's slump these past weeks. Ryan Howard has been his traditional self, striking out here and there and coming up with hits as well. The most impressive Phillie hitter over the slump has to be Victorino. Ever since being moved to leadoff, he has excelled in getting on base but unfortunately has not been able to score because of the rest of the lineup's ability to get hits recently. All in all, I believe this team needs Jimmy Rollins back. He provides that spark and leadership anywhere in the lineup and the team just does not seem the same without him on the field.
As for the pitching, Roy Halladay does not even need to be spoken for anymore. Cole Hamels looks to have regained that confidence and is pitching alot better, despite his deceiving win/loss record of 5-5. Kyle Kendrick and Joe Blanton are almost the same guy. They both seem to have games where the give the team a chance win but not good enough to actually get it. Jamie Moyer has looked like himself and has thrown two complete games this season, one with under 100 pitches. The relievers have been solid and Brad Lidge is finally back in the pen. He has saved three games so far this year and his slider is showing life again, like in 2008.
With a record of 31-26, the Phillies currently find themselves two games behind the division leading Braves. Coming off a game where they scored 10 runs and came back three times, I have no doubt that the Fightins will claw their way back atop the NL East. The Phils square off against the Marlins again tonight, when Roy Halladay takes the hill. He threw his perfect game against the Fish and hopes to have a performance just as effective.
Phillies Phact: Well, I finally have jumped on the boat of everyone. This Cliff Lee trade so far has been an absolute bust. The centerpiece of the trade, Phillippe Aumont was just demoted to Clearwater after posting a 1-6 record with the R-Phils. Tyson Gillies is on the DL and hitting in the mid 200s for average and has yet to really catch the eye as a top prospect. Hopefully this turns around quick.
FLYERS--Save the best for last. I have doubted this team ever since the first round of the postseason, when I picked the Devils to beat them in six. I then predicted the Bruins to win in seven. Well, the Flyers took care of the Devils like it was nothing and they came back from down 3-0 in the series and 3-0 in game seven to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. I finally picked the Flyers to win this one in six and they did not disappoint.
Let me first say that this postseason for the Orange & Black has been absolutely fantastic. Taking care of the Devils was awesome and that series comeback against Boston?!?!...I don't think I have ever seen anything that amazing in my years of watching sports. No matter what happens in the final game or two of the Finals, I will have nothing to blame the Flyers for at all. I don't think anyone really thought they would get this far and actually be competing for the cup. I sure didn't.
The issue is, neither team seems to be able to win on the road. This is a HUGE problem for the Flyers. I personally believe they should have won game one, hands down. Game two I will give to Chicago and then games 3-4 seemed to be two completely different teams. Both the Hawks and the Flyers are using home ice to their advantage and if it stays this way, the Flyers are in for a bad ending. Not to sound negative, but the first five games have been a huge indicator as to what may go down. The defense for some reason in the last game, looked like a high school hockey team. Not being able to get the puck out of the zone and leaving their goalie to hang at many points throughout the game. Chris Pronger even showed signs of ware as he took some beating as well.
It looks as if Leighton will be between the pipes tonight even after being pulled for the second time this series. I am fully behind this choice. I was actually surprised he was pulled right after the first period. Boucher has done a lot but has made me real nervous when he gets a puck behind the net...he also drops down to the butterfly too early which seems to take him out of the play.
Now, I am not a hockey expert so a lot of this is just what I see as a spectator. I have phaith that the Flyers can win this thing. After seeing the way they could play in games 1, 3, 4...how could you doubt it? This team is built for the playoffs and it is their time. Chicago is a great team and has a great chance to win as well but I think the Fly Guys will come out and win game six and then win it on Chicago ice in game seven. After all, they did come back from down 3-0 against Boston to win and have clawed back in the finals as well. GO FLYERS!!! IT'S YOUR TIME!!
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